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In July of 2007 I opened up the issue of Vanity Fair and saw an image of Sri Dharma Mittra doing a headstand with his arms by his sides. My brain couldn’t process what it saw, and I remember feeling puzzled and yet compelled. I wasn’t really sure what attracted me to yoga, but I couldn’t help but be drawn further and further. I was responding wholeheartedly to where it was calling me. I said “Yes!” I was staying with a friend when I read the issue on yoga, and by time I left my friend insisted I take the magazine with me. I paged through the article over and over, saying “Yes, yes, yes.”

Five years later I would finish up my teaching certification, not knowing where the path was leading me. I had never planned to teach, and yet life kept asking me to teach yoga. Throughout the years, I would see this image of Sri Dharma Mittra in a headstand, and think about it. In the past year, I’ve felt it calling me again. Recently, I surprised even myself when I was able to move my arms to the front in headstand.

Earlier in the year my daughter kept talking about New York City, and something nudged me to make arrangements. As I was planning the trip, I looked into yoga workshops and classes. Something prompted me to see where Sri Dharma Mittra was located, and imagine my surprise (not really) when I googled him, and found he has a center in Manhattan. As if this weren’t enough, I scrolled through his classes and workshops and I saw he is celebrating his birthday in the second week of May. I booked the workshop with him, and couldn’t believe the series of events that led me to find that workshop. It feels wonderful that 12 years after seeing that image on Vanity Fair, before I even knew who he was, that I’ll be meeting him and taking a workshop with him.

I think we all get these little nudges, these intuitions. Our job is to say YES, and then watch how life unfolds and moves you to the places where your heart sings.

I live and work in the Midwest; my aesthetic is informed from the world around me. I’m creating when I stop to notice a leaf on my windshield, or when I see the way the sun reveals drops of water on a cobweb. The natural world is aglow with these moments. My art is about communing with nature, and sculpture is the way I process, heal, communicate and express this connection. It’s the way I engage with the world around me; it’s a way of being. Do we choose a place because it’s like us, or do we move to a place and then become more like it? Perhaps it’s a little bit of both. I’ve often thought of this as I look back on the different places I’ve lived. When I lived in big cities I painted with acrylic, and I created my pieces in a matter of minutes. I worked in a hurried fashion, often producing multiple pieces over a short period of time. When I moved back to the Midwest after a long hiatus, I noticed a distinct shift in my work. The work became more meditative, more steeped in time. Now my pieces take days, weeks, and often months to create. Time is a component of my work. The pace and the length of time is part of the message. Art communicates, the process and time is inherent in the piece.

I noticed being in the Midwest revealed a childhood memory. Place has a way of doing that, of bringing the past to the surface. My mind, and later my art, kept returning to the summer when I was eight. My parents had put me to bed and then went for a walk. It was one of those Wisconsin summer evenings where the sky is a light blue, almost white. Everything was quiet, and that space allowed me to experience the landscape in a different way. I couldn’t verbalize it then, but I see now that I glimpsed this expansive and luminous part of being. It was as if nature was revealing itself, and I was fortunate enough to experience it. I remember my childhood bedroom, the way the windows were open that night. Only the thin metal grid of the screen windows separated me from nature. This was both thrilling and slightly unsettling. The sky’s light poured into my room, expanding those four walls. The wind was so still I could hear my own breath.

When my parents returned from their walk they quietly opened my door. They whispered, “Lora, are you awake?” I paused before I answered. My mom said, “We have something to show you.” I sat up as they stepped further into the room. It was then I noticed my dad’s hands were cupped together, as if holding a whisper. I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back I can see that’s the moment I became an artist. When my dad opened his hands he released fireflies into my room. There were probably only a few, but they felt like a hundred. The glow from their tiny bodies illuminated the room blurring the line between inside and outside. And I felt the same way, I both felt my body and at the same time it became part of the expanse. And I took it all in. And I knew it was important, that it was changing my life. I didn’t know how or where it was leading me, but I felt a new way of seeing myself. I experienced myself as part of the whole, and whole. When my daughter was six she declared, “I came into life knowing things no-one had to tell me.” And it was that same knowing, and it began my life as an artist. The light of those fireflies fills each paper sculpture, and I am still mesmerized by the way light moves in and around us.

It's interesting where inspiration comes from. A couple of months ago I had a hard time staying present. My mind would wander, and as a result I started feeling more stressed. At the time I was reading about miracles, and this little voice said, "Lora, where's the miracle?" When I heard it, I knew immediately. The mere question brought me back to the present. I started asking this question throughout the day, "Where is the miracle?" The answers were diverse, and surprising. One time the answer was driving. I thought, "Really!?? Driving the car is a miracle?" But, it is. All the details that most days I take for granted: I own a car, I have the money to pay for the insurance, the maintenance, and for the gas. And I'm physically and mentally able to drive. Of course these are all miracles! Another time, the answer was breath. Before I sat down to write this I asked, "Where is the miracle?" It said, "Your beautiful heart."

Where is the miracle for you? Ask yourself, be still, and listen to what speaks to you. Maybe it will help you get a different perspective on your life. You'll start to see miracles are right where you're at: right here, right now.

This morning I did something different at the end of the yoga class. I had the students sit in a circle, and I asked them to think about the words, I am. I asked them to choose a word to follow “I am”. After each person said their “I am” statement, the group as a collective voice would repeat their statement back to them. These were some of the I am statements, and the group’s response:

“I am confident.” & the group’s response: “You are confident.”

“I am strong.” Group: “You are strong.”

“I am loved.” Group: “You are loved.”

“I am clear.” Group: “You are clear.”

“I am peaceful.” Group: “You are peaceful.”

“As each person said their statement, the room got very quiet. Some students had a hard time using the “I am” statement, for some it brought tears

There is a lot of discussion around the topic of energy lately. People are becoming more aware of their own energetic systems, or chakras, within their bodies. These energies are so important when considering how healthy we are, and how we feel in our daily lives. There is another energy I would like to discuss with you, and it directly related to our chakra energy, but is controlled by our thinking and attitudes. What I am referring to is your Energetic Self Perception, which is a model developed by Bruce D. Schneider, the founder of iPEC (the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching).

As an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), I work with people in gaining control over their Energetic Self Perception. Like chakras, there are 7 levels of energy, which I would like to briefly discuss with you here. As I go through the levels, please understand that there are no good or bad energies, and that each level has its purpose, even when it may not feel good to be there. If you recognize these energy levels in yourself, please just look at it from place of curiosity rather than judgment, because every one of us is made up of all of the energy levels in different amounts. And every level has advantages, as well as disadvantages.

I am going to approach this from a practical standpoint, sharing with you how each level may show up in different circumstances in your daily life. This is just a brief overview, to give you a basic understanding of the levels. To really understand your energy, and how you can use it to your best advantage, I would suggest that you take the Energy Leadership Index Assessment, which can only be administered by an ELI-MP.

So let’s get started! The first two levels of energy are considered Catabolic, that is, they can feel draining or resistant. Though catabolic energy has its purpose, over long periods of time, it can really be harmful to you mentally, emotionally, and physically. So though levels one & two are an ok place to visit, you wouldn’t want to live there!

“Level one: the victim.” This energy is what is happening when you feel helpless, or that you are a victim to your circumstances, thoughts, or beliefs. This energy keeps you from making decisions or taking action. You may feel like you “have no choice in the matter,” or that it is beyond your control. I know, sounds like a drag, doesn’t it? Yes, and no. When you are injured or sick, you might experience Level one, because you really just need to step back from your responsibilities, and retreat to your room. This gives you time to heal. When you are experiencing level one for a long time, however, you may feel depressed or lethargic. You may lose all hope. So, this is not a place where you want to spend a great deal of time. Use it sparingly.

“Level two: mad at the world.” This energy is one of conflict, anger, or defiance. Believe it or not, this is the predominant energy in the workplace, and in life, for the majority of people. This energy makes us feel like we are struggling. We may blame others for how things are in our lives. As leaders, people with a high level of this energy tend to lead by force. It’s the “my way or the highway” kind of leadership, which doesn’t exactly endear people to the boss. On a personal level, this energy can be extremely helpful in some circumstances. Think of the news story about the woman who lifts a car off of her toddler. Or when you have a deadline, and you push through, barking orders along the way, but you get it done. This is the energy that helps me to get my house clean in a half hour when I find out my mother-in-law is coming over.

“Level three: It’s fine.” This is the first level that we consider Anabolic, or constructive, healing, and growth-oriented. Level three energy occurs in people who take responsibility for their actions and feelings. They recognize that what they think and feel is completely their own responsibility, and no one else’s. This person may rationalize their own and others’ behavior, tolerating situations that aren’t ideal, but also aren’t horrible. They like to keep the peace at work and at home, often heard saying things like “it’s fine,” or “I don’t mind.”

“Level four: the caregiver.” This level is very loving, supportive, and caring. This person is more concerned with the welfare of others before their own wellbeing. This is the kind of person that managers want on their teams, and employees love to have as a supervisor. This level is very selfless. Beware of the downside here: people with high level four energy can get burned out from taking care of everyone but themselves. Level four is wonderful when the person can recognize and honor their own needs alongside their love of serving others.

“Level five: finding opportunity instead of problems.” Level five is where people have the attitude of “we all win, or we don’t play.” They look for opportunities in every situation, and will be focused on solutions, rather than placing blame. Level five people take very little personally, and can accept differences in people without judgment. These are the optimists, and are typically very confident, calm people. The disadvantage to this level is that they can experience “paralysis by analysis,” in which they spend a lot of time ruminating on which direction they should take in a situation.

“Level six: in the zone.” You know that feeling of being in the flow, where you lose track of time because you are so fully engaged in an experience? When that happens, you are in Level six. This level allows a person to become what they experience, and have high amounts of synthesis when working with others. This person will be very intuitive and is a brilliant leader who can create innovations for the benefit of everyone. The downside can be that others view you as “aloof,” because you don’t react in situations the way most people would.

“Level seven: Om!” This is the highest level of anabolic energy. When someone becomes a master of this energy level, they are able to tap into any energy level at will. At level seven, a person is able to create anything that he/she chooses at will. They are completely connected to the highest consciousness. They are totally passionate about all aspects of life, and view everything as equal. They will find the same amount of joy in taking out the trash, as they would receiving an Academy Award. Nothing is seen as real, which can make them seem completely disconnected. Nobody operates completely at level 7, as they wouldn’t get anything done. (Think of a Tibetan monk, meditating on a mountaintop)

This is just a glimpse at the seven levels, but I hope it gives you some insight as to how you are showing up in your life. This is something you can absolutely learn how to control. Only one year ago, I would say my average resonating level would have been a three-four. Two years ago, it would have been a primary level two. When I took the assessment this past December, my primary level was six, meaning this is where I spend most of my time. This was after eleven months of meditating, using essential oils, and going through the training program to become a Certified Professional Coach. I have since added yoga and Tai Chi to my routine, so I am moving toward accessing more level seven. Nothing brings me more joy than coaching someone to higher levels of awareness, which in turn, raises the consciousness of the world, one person at a time.

About the author:

Wendy Wilson Burich is a Transformational Life Coach who lives in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. She is the owner of Unlimited Potentials Coaching, and can be reached at 920-579-2423, or by email: wendy@unlimitedpotentialscoaching.com.

I recently had the opportunity to face one of my fears. To say I had anxiety about this is an understatement. I was asked to talk about Race and Adoption at the ABCD (Anti-Bullying Celebrate Diversity) Conference. These are two parts of my life I had no control over, and to be honest I haven’t always known how to make sense of.

As I prepared for the talk, I had mixed feelings about sharing my thoughts about these topics. Race is often a controversial subject, and my adoption intersects two families. I wrote drafts of my talk, and spent hours thinking of what I would say. Of course, it wasn’t until the day before I realized the thread that would shape my talk.

I talked about shame and how babies and small children don’t feel shame. Think about it, you were taught to feel shame. People would call me names: chink, gook, flat face, Chinese-Japanese, etc. Behind the words was the message, “You don’t fit in. We don’t accept you.” They used the thing I had no control over: my race. Bullies will often target the aspect you don’t have control over. My face used to burn with embarrassment when they singled me out and called me names. I could hear their laughter as I was stunned into silence. Those experiences taught me, “Who you are is not all right, feel bad about it.” And as best as my family and friends would tell me otherwise, their messages were often puzzling. “We love you. We don’t see you as Korean or Asian. We don’t even think of it – you’re just Lora.” I thought, how do they not see me as Asian? That part of me is erased?

They say that the need to belong is so strong that it shapes much of our decisions. When I was younger, I didn’t know how to make sense of being different, I didn’t have words to express what was thinking and feeling, and often it was unclear even to me. I was a very shy, introverted child. I loved my family and friends, who were all Caucasian. As a family, we went to church and I learned about God. Because I was painfully shy, partially because the attention I received publicly was because of my race, I prayed. My prayer was not for more clothes, a bigger bedroom, or more toys. I prayed to be White. Any mirror, reflective surface, or even photographs were painful. They were all reminders of what I wasn’t.

In our community, everywhere we went I saw what I wasn’t: at the doctor’s office, at school, at the bank, at the store. I couldn’t even imagine what I wanted to do when I was older, I couldn’t see myself in any of the professions or jobs. I believe we have within us this mechanism that guides us. When I was in high school, I found journaling. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I poured out my frustrations, my anger, the things I wish I had said to those bullies. I poured out my questions, my thoughts. I wrote my way to freedom. I used words that were my own. I didn’t have to try and explain it to anyone else. It mattered because it was my own. And those words released creativity. I embraced the art world, and I saw how so many artists were outsiders. I saw how they created their own worlds.

In my talk, I told the audience how my yoga and meditation practice gave me the most powerful tool: the power of my mind. I can’t change my past, I can’t undo what was said to me. But, I can choose to stop letting those words have power over me. I can’t control what people say about me in the present, and I may not agree or like it. I don’t have to, but neither do I have to accept it or let it live within me. I’ve come to trust and honor myself, for me this has been through yoga and meditation. And it’s what I’ve taught my own daughter, who too has had her share of bullying. I’ve learned to listen to what she says, and I also no longer tell her what I was told, “the bully didn’t mean it; just ignore it; be the bigger person.” Instead, I tell her how to use the power of her mind, to really know and trust who she is. To speak up, to draw clear and firm boundaries with the bully. Most importantly, not to take on their comments. The bully relies on weakness, but that’s not who we are. We are strong. We rise.

The talk I gave taught me so much about myself, but what I loved the most was how connected I felt to the audience. I realized, that each one of us has parts of our life that we have felt shame about. We all experience fear and have hurts. After the talk, I was touched by the people that came up to me. They wanted to share their stories, some of them were the same as mine. And I understood why it’s important to share your story, because there’s a healing that happens when we are present and open to one another. The audience and the speaker share in the experience, and everyone is changed. This is the power of owning your story, even the parts that are uncomfortable and painful. In the owning of the story it lessens its power over you. And you do the thing you were always meant to do, You Rise!

For the past six months I’ve been asking, “Where does yoga need me the most?” When we ask for clarity, we receive it. When I first began teaching yoga, I took every opportunity to teach. I said yes to everyone who asked for yoga. I did this for a couple of reasons: I wanted teaching experience, but also I was afraid to say no. I thought if I didn’t take each opportunity, there wouldn’t be another. At the end of last year, I took time and space to assess which classes I had a passion for, and which ones I had less energy for. I didn’t judge myself. Some classes I thought I “should” be teaching, but if I was honest, I just wasn’t passionate about them. I accepted this.

As a result, my teaching schedule shifted, and with that shift there was a space in my schedule. But, more importantly there was space within me to get clear. The answer to, “where does yoga need me most?” was always there, but I was too busy to hear it.

At the end of last year, the Center for Spirituality and Healing contacted me regarding teaching yoga to women victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. I intuitively knew I this was something I wanted to be a part of. I love yoga for so many reasons, but what I value most is how much healing it has brought me. I came to yoga after a particularly difficult relationship. I left questioning myself, my thoughts, my ability to make good decisions. But, even worse than that, I was exhausted. I lacked energy for anything, and disliked myself. I couldn’t see a way out of the mental and emotional state I was in. I equally wanted help and healing, but as equally stumped as to what that would entail.

The five years prior I bought every yoga magazine I could get my hands on. I never once tried a single pose, never went to a class though. After that relationship, I had no energy to resist yoga. Even though I was a single mom, and my daughter was a toddler, something told me to spend the money and time on a class. I still remember that first class. I had the same resistance other people do: what do you wear? Am I going to be the only one who doesn’t know what they’re doing? What if people stare? Is this worth it? But, even with all the resistance, and “good reasons” why I shouldn’t have gone to yoga, I did. I stepped on the mat, and felt at peace. I felt like I didn’t have to hold it all in, all the emotions and all the pain. This both felt wonderful and vulnerable. And yet, I did what the teacher told me, breathe. I noticed how I often I would hold my breath. To breathe fully can feel vulnerable. I saw how short my breath was, and it was a way to control my emotions, to keep them at bay.

The healing didn’t happen overnight, but rather it was a long and steady process. It really has been pose by pose, breath by breath. “Where does yoga need me the most?” I think about others like me, who’ve been in a situation where they felt disempowered. I think how fortunate I am to have yoga in my life, how it’s given me myself back. That I’m able to share what I love the most, and to know my life experiences, and the tools I have can help others heal too… I feel blessed.

When we practice yoga, we heal not only ourselves, but we boldly and lovingly extend this healing to everyone around us. It just happens!

The word we end each yoga class with. I’ve said it thousands of times, and each time I say it I feel the rich meaning and weight of the word. Namaste. Often I'm asked what this word means. The young boy at the elementary school asks in a teasing manner, “What does nam-oh-yay mean?” He has a smirk on his face and waits to see how I'll respond. I take a deep breath, look him in the eyes and say, “The very best part of me sees, knows, and recognizes the very best part of you.” He is looking at me, there is a light of recognition in his eyes. Before he leaves the classroom, he runs up to me and throws his arms around my waist. Namaste. Or the time in juvie when a young man asked curiously, “What’s that word you say at the end?” I tell him slowly and spell it out. He asks me what it means, I take a deep breath, look him in the eyes, and tell him, “The very best part of me sees, knows, and recognizes the very best part of you.” His eyes start to tear up, he nods his head. We sit in silence. Or the young woman in the transitional recovery home who asks me, “Why do you say Namaste, what does it mean?” And I tell her, “The very best part of me sees, knows, and recognizes the very best part in you.” And she responds, “Well, you did that for me today.” And the countless other times I have said this word, this beautiful coming back to my own self.

One day, I was curious about the power of this vibration. I silently said this word throughout my day. I made a mental note to repeat it in my mind to as many people, some I knew, most I didn't. I noticed how people would turn around and smile, or people went out of their way to keep a door open, or how people looked at me and just smiled.

I bring my hands in front of my heart center, and I say this word to you, Namaste.

“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: At the first gate, ask yourself, “Is it true?” At the second gate ask, “Is it necessary?” At the third gate ask, “Is it kind?” – Rumi

I first saw some version of this quote years ago. Over the years, I’ve seen it numerous times, but it wasn’t until this past year that I decided to use these questions in my life.

“Is it true?” We know when something rings true or not. Sometimes I don’t like the truth, but I know it. When I made this questioning a regular habit, I noticed how one simple question can affect your life. The parts of my life where I wasn’t living truthfully became very clear. I noticed a deeper power and presence to my words. I could feel an energy I was connecting to by aligning with truth.

“Is it necessary?” The first thing I noticed was how I used some words, simply out of habit. An example was when people would ask me to present, or teach a class, I’d say, “Why me?” Rather than be happy and grateful, I’d wonder why they chose me. I realized this phrase was unnecessary. I changed it to, “Yes me!” I also noticed how often I’d speak to fill a silence. This meant I sometimes spoke out of boredom, or because I wanted to show I was right, and other times it was simply to hear my own voice. I realized how many words I used unnecessarily, how they distracted me from goals, and how they mindlessly reinforced past patterns. These words wasted time.

“Is it kind?” It is true what you put out into the world, you get back. Are the words you using inspiring and uplifting? This falls under the category of kind. I’m not just talking about the words you speak to others, but equally important are the words you speak to yourself. Using kind words to myself has been a challenge, but this question, “Is it kind?” helps focus me on the power of kindness.

When we take a moment to frame our words with these three questions, we become more intentional with our precious time. Next time you open your mouth to say something: pause, take a moment, and ask yourself: “is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?”

What are your limitations? Where did they come from? Do you question them?

My time on the yoga mat has revealed many of my limitations are self-imposed. In my own practice, I am still learning and growing. I continue to try new postures, many which seem out of my reach. This pose, the one in the video, I somehow got into my head I couldn’t do it. Instead of questioning or eliminating this thought, I took it as fact. I just assumed, “Nope, there’s no way I can do it. End of story.”

On the day I shot this video, I’m not sure what prompted me to try it. The posture popped in my head and instead of thinking about it too much, I just tried it. I don’t know how in the world my legs lifted up and then back down again. I remember thinking, “Whaaaaattt!? I’m not supposed to be able to do this!” It took me a few minutes to process it, and for the next week I still couldn’t quite believe it.

What did that situation teach me? That, on and off the mat, I limit myself and doubt myself out of habit. Yoga has taught me to at least try, to at least be open to a different possibility. Change is hard for all of us, even when it means opening up to a different, more expansive version of who we are.

Who would you be if you let go of your limitations? This is how yoga transforms us, one breath at a time. The Bhagavad Gita says this in Chapter 2, Verse 40: “On this path no effort is wasted, nor is there any danger of adverse effects. Even a little practice of this Yoga protects one from great fear.”

The dictionary defines intention as a determination to act in a certain way, a resolve.

In yoga, intention is important and the word is used a lot in classes. Often you’ll hear teachers say, “set an intention for your practice.”

About a year ago, I set an intention. I set the intention in form of a question. The question was, “How can I have the greatest positive impact?” Since then, I have re-visited this intention numerous times. I look back and am amazed and surprised how that intention has guided me. It has led to stop teaching some classes, while adding others. It has clarified how I want to use my time in classes. In the past, I taught my classes by showing students poses and helping them relax. But, since setting my intention the way I teach classes has transformed. A by-product of asking, “How can I have the greatest positive impact?” has inspired me to provide students with tools that will benefit them the most. It’s led me to see my role as not just educator, but as leader.

There are two recent examples that have reminded me how powerful an intention is, and how it moves through us, creates events and circumstances that are in harmony with our focus. The last time I was in juvie, there were two young men practicing yoga. We had the rare luxury of having a whole hour of yoga time. Usually, we share the hour with 30 minutes for the females, and the remainder for the males. But, this time, no females wanted to practice yoga. By the end of the hour, the two males were really relaxed. I could tell by the way they looked that they were different from when they arrived. They told me how great they felt, how happy. They said, “I come in feeling all tight, and then I leave feeling all good, relaxed. I love yoga.”

I’ve started doing more workshops. After a recent workshop, a student remarked how life-changing her time on the mat was. Another person spoke of a healing they felt at their heart center, a lightness she hadn’t felt before.

An intention clarifies what is important to you, and sets you on the path to realize it. The intention I set is still resonant for me, and I continue to ask, “How can I have the greatest positive impact?” What is your intention?

Life is mysterious. A couple weeks ago, my daughter came home from an evening with her grandma. They had been at church and unbeknownst to me, a woman at church gave Emerson a necklace for me. This may not seem very remarkable or unusual until you start to hear more of the details. The first remarkable part of the story is that I had never met this woman before. We are Facebook friends, but hadn't really communicated very often.

Emerson sat me down on the couch and spoke in a very slow and calm voice. She said, "Mom, a woman at church was going through her jewelry and she wanted you to have this. This necklace has been in her family for over a hundred years. When she looked at it, she thought of you for some reason." At this point, it almost seemed too much. Emerson sat next to me and held in her hands a small square white box. I almost didn't want to open it. How could a stranger gift such a precious and valuable gift to me? The intention itself was more than enough, but now Emerson also wanted me to open it. For a few seconds I just sat there trying to process it all. Emerson gently encouraged me, "Mom, open it. It's for you." I tried to refuse, "But, why didn't she give it to you? She knows you! Why me? I don't even know her. It's too much!" I finally opened up the box to find this beautiful and radiantly intricate necklace. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a necklace so beautiful.

Since then, I have met the woman and she has given me another necklace that has been in her family. Both necklaces have beautiful gems in them, and I remembered how not long ago I worked on the third chakra, the manipūra chakra. This chakra is known as the "city of radiant jewels". Today I was looking at both necklaces, their beautiful and radiant jewels shining and I couldn't help but think about the energy in the manipura chakra, and were the yogis talking of literal jewels? Up until recently, I was certain the "jewels" were metaphorical. And perhaps they truly are, but I can't help but think of the sequence of events and how I somehow was bestowed such a generous and beautiful gift of jewels.

"If you want to find the secrets of the universe,think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration." ― Nikola Tesla

Life is funny. When I was younger, I saw images of bald men in orange robes singing "Hare Krishna" and thought, "Huh!?" From where I came from in rural Wisconsin, chanting was considered very out there! Sometimes they would close their eyes, move, dance. It was unlike anything I ever saw.

And what did I do last night? Went to kirtan. I find myself making more time to go to kirtan, even traveling an hour or so to participate in one. What is it about kirtan? Kirtan is a devotional chanting, typically done in call and response. It changes you, the process of creating the time to sit and be with other intentional beings. The energy in the room is powerful, elevating everyone. I leave a different person from when I began. I sing from the heart, from the truest part of myself. I offer up my words, my breath. I inhale, I exhale. I take in the Divine, I exhale fear and worry.

When I sit on the cushion and sing kirtan, there is a pulse, an energy that moves through me. And I understand now why I need this, this opening to a purer vibration. It changes me, leaving behind what I no longer need, and using my voice to honor and celebrate the frequency of the Divine.

Do you have an inner critic? I mean that voice that monitors what you do, what you say, and how you say it. Or even better, this inner critic has a running commentary on your life.

A couple of weeks ago I was on a social media site and saw a person’s comment about one of my yoga classes. The student never mentioned my name, but I knew by the class and its location that this person was talking about me. The person stated she would take a class, ANYWHERE but at that location. I read that comment and my heart sank. The thoughts that followed were something like this, “Oh my gosh, she hated my class. I wonder what I said or did. I wonder if she’s told her friends and family…” Part of me wanted to respond, but didn’t know what to say. I felt hurt, annoyed, angry, embarrassed. A few days later the comment still bothered me, and it bothered me that it bothered me.

We think the point of life is to avoid any discomfort, but those uncomfortable moments are growing us, teaching us. I used her comment in my own practice and brought it into my meditation. I first questioned my thoughts. Often times we think we know why a person says or does something. Do we really? Did I absolutely 100% know she had something against me as a teacher? It could have been the location itself, the cost of the class, the other students, the style, or it could have something to do with me as a teacher or person. .

My first response was all about me and how I felt: my own thoughts, concerns, and questions. Then I shifted it to the woman. Part of me had a lot of questions about her comment, but then I asked myself, “What do you want for this woman?” I stilled my body, closed my eyes, and relaxed my breath. It felt vulnerable, and part of me resisted. I just sat with the resistance until it shifted. And then what I wanted for her was clear: I wanted her to have the best possible yoga class and the right teacher. Aaahhhhh. When I focused on wanting the best for her and for myself, the tightness in my body released. I felt open, and in that quiet space sent her some peaceful vibes.

I realized that the woman felt like a critic because she reflected my own inner voice that too often will focus on the areas where I need to improve, areas where I could work on. My inner critic always has a long list of things where I fall short and things I could do better. In the past, I’d listen attentively to everything the inner critic had to say. Meditation has taught me to observe these thoughts. I don’t have to act on all of them, I don’t have to let them direct my life. I take this inner voice less and less seriously, just observing what it says. I understand why this part of the self is called “monkey mind”. There is another part of the self, the witness. When I shift to the witness and notice what comes up, the conflicting and often confusing thoughts, I am at peace. It's not so much what happens in my life, but my relationship to it. The woman's comment was a great teacher, to accept I can't be everyone's teacher. Not everyone has the same path, from that space I could accept her. More importantly, I can also accept myself.

Yesterday morning I went into the local juvenile detention center to share yoga, meditation, and relaxation. There was a young male, probably no more than 12 or 13-years -old, who had never tried yoga. About ten minutes into the practice, he asked me what starts to happen the more you practice yoga. I started to explain how you relax more, the mind starts to have greater clarity, and you start to feel better. He paused, and then said, “Oh, you mean radiance.”

I don’t hear many people use this word, much less a young male. I was speechless. I nodded my head in wonder and gratitude. And I thought how each one of us knows this is a part of us, this radiance. Do we forget as we get older? Do we believe others when they try and make us smaller? We’re born knowing this beautiful part of us exists. The young man was right, the more we practice yoga or meditate, the more this radiant part shines through.

“Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to succeed and achieve. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Don’t wait for just the right situation. Don’t count on being lucky.

Your destiny is in your hands. Think like it and act like it with each passing moment.” – Rod Stryker, The Four Desires.

I had the good fortune of taking a workshop with Rod Stryker. I had read his book, The Four Desires, for about a year before I took his weekend workshop. In a sort of prayer, wish, thought combo I kept knowing I would take a class with him. At that point, Rod had workshops and classes all over the country, but the dates and travel just never worked out with my schedule. But, in my heart and mind, I KNEW I needed to meet him, and that I would. I said to myself, God, and the Universe, “I’m not able to travel to the places Rod is teaching. He needs to come to Wisconsin so I can take a class or workshop with him.” I kept repeating it so strongly and clearly. And, although Rod traveled extensively in the United States, and the world, he never came to Wisconsin to teach.

At this point, my students and fellow teachers had heard of Rod’s name. I spoke about his book a lot and led students through his guided meditations. Out of the blue a fellow yoga teacher emailed me. She received a newsletter from a Madison yoga center that Rod Stryker was coming for a weekend workshop. I couldn't believe it, and yet I could. I didn't even bother reading the content. I registered for the whole weekend.

When I went to the workshop there were easily over 400 people in the room, but I knew I’d speak with Rod. The workshop was just what I needed and towards the end of the second day, during a break, I spoke with him.

His book and his workshop reminded me of this:

- Obstacles are not meant to overwhelm or discourage us, but rather inspire and motivate us!

- We are meant to expand beautifully.

- We determine our destiny.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get lazy and want others to direct me or tell me what my next steps should be. I think we probably all get like this at some point. We let someone else be the expert in our own lives. At some point, you start to listen to your inner wisdom and follow where it directs you. Lately, I have really been taking to heart the idea of giving yourself permission to grow, to achieve, to succeed. Ideally, we’d all have a group of mentors cheering us on, but it doesn’t always happen. I learn more and that as knowledgeable and experienced as others are, that don’t always have the magic answers. They can’t tell me what I need to hear. I’ve learned to dig deep, get still and center, and listen to that clear voice within. I become directed from within.

Examine what your reasons are for not acting, for not taking a next step. Afraid you don’t know how to do something? Afraid you’re not an “expert”? Waiting for someone to ask you to do it. Are you waiting for permission?

From a yoga perspective, it is a unique and wonderful privilege to be born as a human being. Make the most of the opportunities you create. The universe responds and expands when we follow our heart, when we are clear about what we want to do. Yogi Bhajan says, “I don’t count on miracles. I rely on them.”

What do you really want to do? What stops you from doing it? What are you waiting for?

I bring you back to Rod’s words:

“Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to succeed and achieve. Don’t wait for someone to tell you how to do it. Don’t wait for just the right situation. Don’t count on being lucky.

Your destiny is in your hands. Think like it and act like it with each passing moment.” – Rod Stryker, The Four Desires.

Balance. It’s something students want. I hear so many students tell me, “I have no balance.” It’s the aspect of the practice that seems to frustrate students the most. I watch them adjust, struggle, make faces, and shake their heads. What does it mean to have balance in yoga, and how do we create it?

If you’ve ever taken a class with me, you know I invite you to fully participate! Often, I will have discussions about the practice. During a recent yoga class I asked, “What is balance? How would you define it?” Here were some of the answers:

- Feeling solid

- Even

- Strong

- Ease

This is how a fellow yoga teacher defined it, “Being in the here and now.” When I took those words to heart I noticed how it changed my balance. I found myself fighting with the pose less, and noticed my balance improved. I realized being present, in the here and now, helps one create that elusive balance.

This past year I have been putting a lot of energy into growing my yoga practice and classes. With all of this, it’s been a challenge maintaining balance in my life. I’ve realized I need to apply the same attention to my life: be in the present moment, adjust when necessary, and breathe.

During a recent photo shoot, I had a wonderful opportunity to work with balance. In Warrior II I am normally strong and balanced when I practice indoors. Inside I have my awesome Jade yoga mat, the lights are consistent, I don’t have to worry about the wind, and I don’t the distraction of different sounds and people. However, to create balance on two rocks of different heights, both which were uneven, not to mention very slippery… that added a whole new dimension to my understanding of balance. As I was trying not to fall, I noticed a sense of fear, and for a moment I thought, "We're not going to be able to get the shot." But, then I do what I tell my students to do: breathe! Breath by breath I settled into the moment and pose. The photographer captured the moment when I surrendered to the moment. The peace and strength I found in the pose, well, those are the gifts of balance.

This is the number one reason people give me for not practicing yoga. Time. “I want to practice yoga, but I just don’t have the time, you know.” Or “I know I should do it and I always feel so much better, but…” Sound familiar? We have all this technology in life that’s supposed to give us more control and more time, and yet how come there’s not enough time to take care of ourselves?

Five years ago, I started practicing yoga on a more regular basis. At first, it felt like I should be spending that time doing “more constructive things.” But, I noticed the days I practiced yoga, I felt better. And when I practiced on a weekly basis, there was a greater sense of peace. I thought to myself, “WOW, all of this for doing just a little bit of consistent practice.”

What takes us away from a regular practice? What do people spend their time on if they’re not practicing yoga? What are these “more important” things that take priority? The answers are probably something like this: watching t.v., going out, shopping, cleaning the house, uh…

One of my fierce and wonderful teachers, Yogananda, said that it’s really laziness that prevents us from practice. Ouch. He just cuts right through our attempts at rationalizing or defending our lack of practice. When I first read his books, I felt like a thunderbolt was going through the top of my head. It was relentless and I found in his texts a strength, an integrity, and a clarity. Through his words he didn’t let me wiggle out of my reasons for not practicing. He said it bluntly and directly, “you are lazy.” Hehe. WOW! When I first read it, I gulped, broke a sweat, and had to close his book. But, even though the book was closed, his words still resonated LOUDLY! He said we as human beings have the power and capacity to strengthen our will power to determine our destiny!

Your life is composed of time. How you use it is of your own making. Your time and attention are precious commodities. Think of the activities you spend them on. Are they useful? Are they enriching you? Are they done out of habit? Are they done so you feel accepted in a group? Or are you not even sure why you spend time the way you do?

I used to think yoga took time and it felt like pressure. “How am I supposed to find time to practice when I have to work, clean the house, run errands, etc...” But, now instead of feeling pressured, I feel inspired to make time and the question has shifted to, “How can I be more present and create quality moments?” Now I know yoga makes time and gives me space to be present in my own life.

We started a fall session of yoga at one of the places I teach. Lately in my classes I’ve been focusing on expansion, of moving through our perceived limitations. In class, I’ve had students create a deeper expansion and openness in the body. Of course, the expansion isn’t just limited to the body. The mind and the breath expand as well. And with this expansion we experience the fullness of energy coursing through us.

As I was driving to class last night kind of marveling at the abundance of students in the classes, I couldn’t help but think about what I had been teaching the students and how it manifested in the classes. It’s all related, all connected. Your life is an extension of what you do on your mat, which is why it’s important to bring your whole self. Show up, be present, give yourself the gift of your full attention. See what happens, be open.

Last night, a room full of yogis practiced together, in union. They come from different backgrounds, have different personalities and ideologies and yet for that hour they were able to exist peacefully and joyfully with one another. This is the power and strength of yoga! I had them go to tree pose and then extend their hands up, extending beautifully from the heart center. As they did it, I told them to extend, to let the energy from their hearts radiate up their arms and through their hands and fingers. I told them how powerful they are, to never forget or underestimate it. They let the energy of their heart center radiate up and out through the room, and as they did the light in the room turned on. I mean literally the light turned on in the room. We all looked at each other with widened eyes, in awe and wonder. We all smiled, nodded, shook our heads a little. I said, “Look at what you did. You lit up the room, literally! You are powerful!” And it’s true.

You are powerful and your heart has a power that will light up the world.

Change can be hard. I see this play out in each class. Students will place their mats in the same place class after class, almost without thought or notice. Even in the practice itself, students will move in a habituated manner.

I’m not any different. I would say change has been one of the greatest challenges in my life. I want predictability, stability, and I want to know what to expect. This feeling of sameness provides a sense of safety. But, here’s what life has taught me: change is inevitable. Isn’t there a saying, the only sure thing is change? And it’s true. We are constantly evolving and changing. I believe we are meant to do this.

Inevitably, in every class I’ll have a student, or two, remark “I feel a stretch! This is uncomfortable.” I don’t deny it. I tell my students how it is. I say, “Yep, it sure is uncomfortable. You have a couple of choices: stop being in the pose or pay attention to the breath.” For the students that choose to pay attention to their breath the pose becomes more comfortable, their body relaxes. We really have two choices in life: to avoid dealing with the discomfort or tightness in the body or address it. I ask people that do nothing (no yoga, no stretching, no walking, no exercise) how doing nothing is working for them. Their response is not surprising. They tell me they feel discomfort throughout the day and often pain. My response isn’t always what they want to hear, but it goes like this: “So, you feel uncomfortable when you don’t do any sort of movement or exercise, right?” And here they nod their head In agreement. I pause and say, “When you’re in a pose on the mat, you also experience discomfort, right?” “To which they will nod their head up and down emphatically. “Okay, you have two choices the way I see it: you can either proactively put yourself through some mild discomfort in the yoga poses and experience GREATER overall well-being OR you can do nothing and feel uncomfortable most of the time. You choose, but it looks like either way you’re going to be uncomfortable. For me, I proactively create gentle discomfort and make peace with it through the breath so I feel better overall.”

Lately my life has been changing rapidly and even though many of the changes I love and celebrate, it is still change nevertheless. Change is still hard for me, I still get scared, and it’s still uncomfortable. In the past, I’d let the slightest discomfort stop me from doing what I wanted. Now, the discomfort comes and I note it, and I breathe through it.

Change is happening right now even as we speak and it will continue to do so. How you handle it is up to you – that’s where you have control and power. Let the power and peaceful strength of the breath guide you to move through change.